3. Russia v Georgia, 2019
Perhaps unnoticed among the bigger matches of this year was the abandonment of the Russia v Georgia game in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The game was set to go ahead in August but Russian authorities decided that “demonstrations by radical persons” in protest against Russian political actionism meant the team would not travel to Georgia.
4. Springboks v Waikato, 1981
Probably the most famous cancelled match in New Zealand history. The Springbok tour went ahead despite massive protests against apartheid South Africa.
It all came together – police and protesters – in a massive pitch invasion in Hamilton. After that little would be the same again – not rugby, not the tour and maybe not even New Zealand.